As the new captain of South Africa’s Test team, Temba Bavuma reflects on the impact of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum on the world of cricket and says, “I’ve been a silent supporter of the way they’ve gone about things.” “I remain mute because I am still their competitor. I’ve always viewed England as cricket pioneers, but over the past year, they’ve begun to revolutionize the Test game.
“We witnessed this in one-day cricket, which resulted in their winning the World Cup. Now we’re also observing this with the Test game. They have significantly altered how Test cricket is played. We are borrowing heavily from their strategy and, by adding a South African twist, imagining what it might look like for us.
Bavuma is at home in Johannesburg on a peaceful afternoon, and after celebrating Baseball, as he also refers to England’s explosive Test cricket style, he will reflect on a career-defining few weeks.
In March, as South Africa’s first black Test cricket captain, he led the Proteas to victory over the West Indies. Bavuma eventually reached his second Test century with a momentous 172 at the renowned old Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.
Since Bavuma scored his first Test century against England in January 2016, seven years, two months, and 88 innings had passed.
He made history as the first black South African to make a century in a Test match.
Bavuma is relieved that his most recent century prevented him from altering the course of history. Only New Zealand’s Adam Parore, who required 92 innings to reach his second Test century, had to wait longer than Bavuma.
Bavuma went 2,621 days without scoring a century, but he remained South Africa’s talisman and finest batsman with a Test batting average of 43.88 over the last three years. The enormous symbolism of his pioneering presence clashes with the divisive complexities of life in South Africa when he plays international cricket.
The 32-year-old brings discipline, empathy, and intelligence to his leadership, as demonstrated during the T20 World Cup in October 2021, when, as captain, Bavuma defused a controversy sparked by teammate Quinton de Kock’s refusal to take a knee. De Kock expressed his gratitude to “my captain, Temba… he’s an incredible leader”
Seven years ago, Stokes attempted to taunt Bavuma during a Test match in Cape Town. Remarkably, Bavuma feels such an affinity for Stokes, despite their vast differences. After Stokes’ career-high 258 and England’s enormous 629 for six, Bavuma’s debut century of 102 not out helped South Africa come close to matching that score. Stokes’s congratulations to Bavuma were as heartfelt as the sledding had been spirited.
Bavuma affirms, “He was very competent.” “He is a fierce competitor, a match-winner in every way, and the type of player you would want on your team any day of the week. I have relished my battles with him, although he has likely beaten me more than I have beaten him.
I am a staunch supporter of both Ben Stokes the cricketer and how they have reshaped their Test team.
During the second series played by Stokes and McCullum last summer, England overcame a 1-0 deficit to win the remaining two matches against South Africa. Bavuma was injured and viewed the series while working as a television analyst in South Africa. “I thought to myself, ‘OK, the English have arrived with this new attacking style of play,'” he says. However, they face a formidable South African attack. We have pace, talent, and a strong spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
“Their strategy was questioned after the first match. However, they went on to win the subsequent tests without necessarily relying on Baseball. When opportunities present themselves, they seize them with both hands. However, there is still the ability to read situations and perform accordingly, which we can also learn.
“We must first challenge ourselves. Within the team, conversations have already begun, and we speak more about guys venturing out and expressing themselves. I suppose that is a generic cliché. But if the opportunity to win the game presents itself, we must be courageous and confident enough to do so. In Test cricket, it is necessary to strike a balance between enduring and applying pressure to the opposition. Therefore, we are having these dialogues, which are difficult to articulate due to the novelty of the topic. However, we are challenging ourselves, like England, to continue to improve.”
The Ashes will dominate the English summer, and Bavuma is in a position to accurately foresee the result. Three months ago, he was South Africa’s most productive batsman, with an average of 37.0, as they were dominated by Australia and needed rain to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.
“Australia is one of the most difficult places to travel,” he asserts.
“It is extremely intimidating and enlightening. When you consider the Australian bowling attack, you realize that none of those players are giving you a break. It revealed just how far I was behind the greatest Test cricket players, such as Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and David Warner.
“We were a youthful squad, and only three or four of us had previously visited Australia. I gained a great deal of knowledge from that excursion. “Upon my return, I took a close look at my game to determine where it stood, where it needed to be, and what I needed to do to close the gap.”
Who presented Bavuma with the most difficulty when confronting Australia’s formidable attack? “I believe Pat Cummins. I found him to be quite challenging due to his persistence and high level of expertise. He does not throw you many errant balls. And when [Josh] Hazlewood returned, he improved their bowling performance.
“Facing a tall bowler who gets the ball to rise from a good length tests me much more than a bowler like [Scott] Boland, who is still very good but doesn’t necessarily generate the same steep bounce that Hazlewood can”
Bavuma shifts his focus to England’s bowlers, concentrating on Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. “Sometimes, Anderson in England is nearly impossible to play. I found Broad to be quite challenging in both England and South Africa. This is most likely due to the angle he generates at the crease.
Both of these men are exceptional swing and seam bowlers in those conditions, and they will provide England’s attack with crucial control.”
Bavuma smiles when asked to predict the probable winner of the series. “How England has batted makes it an intriguing match. However, they will not have it easy against the Australian attack. It’s a close call, but I’ll side with the English. Adapting to the conditions will be significantly simpler for them due to the significant role they play. I’d opt for the English.”
Bavuma expects to play county cricket this season, and if he is in England, he plans to attend at least one or two live Ashes matches. Seeing it live versus on television is very different.”
Counties such as South Africa have few opportunities to participate in Tests due to the economic monopoly India, England, and Australia maintain over international cricket. Bavuma transforms a miserable circumstance into an opportunity to perform in England. “This year’s schedule is somewhat unusual,” he remarks diplomatically, “as we have a long international break. After playing the Netherlands in a two-match ODI series, we have no cricket until September, when we face Australia in a white ball warm-up before the World Cup. So during that period, I would love to play cricket. In 2019, I thoroughly relished playing for Northants, who were promoted that year. Therefore, if another county opportunity arose, I would be thrilled.”
When questioned about the unfairness of an international schedule that only benefits wealthy nations, Bavuma shrugs.
“That is the truth. It is difficult to comprehend that you will be playing less and less. As players, it is our responsibility to ensure that our performances are of such high caliber that England, Australia, and India are eager to play us.”
There are few greater cricket stories than that of Bavuma. His journey from Langa, a township adjacent to Cape Town, to becoming the first black South African to be selected for a Test batting position and to captaining his country is poignant and inspiring. Bavuma has faced numerous obstacles on and off the field, which made how he finally reached his elusive second Test century so exhilarating.
“It’s difficult to put into words,” Bavuma says with a grin as he attempts to describe how he felt when he scored a century against West Indies with a sublime lofted cover drive. “There was relief and contentment. The lack of hundreds brought about individual pressure, which was accompanied by a great deal of criticism. But within the team, my presence and contributions were valued, and that gave me solace and confidence.”
Was the burden unbearable as he entered the 1990s? “It may sound odd, but I did not experience any strain. When I would get ahead of myself, I felt a level of confidence that I had not previously experienced. This was distinct. I was able to remain in the present and cope with the current situation.”
Typical of Bavuma, once he reached the milestone, he stated, “I reminded myself that the game wasn’t over, and I wanted to go for broke.”
This winning inning was the most recent illustration of how Bavuma elevated South Africa as a nation and cricket team during difficult times. “When I made my Test debut in 2014, I was extremely naive and oblivious,” he explains. “When I was a young child, I fell in love with cricket, but the more I played, the more I realized my importance to the team. That was far beyond my childhood fantasies. It’s an additional burden, and it can become burdensome to carry. It can feel like a burden.”
Bavuma hesitates before looking up. “However, I’ve also attempted to view it as a privilege – to continue and accept it as part of my journey. It’s difficult, and I don’t believe the system adequately prepared me to cope with all the associated pressures. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine with whom to discuss these obstacles. However, I am not criticizing. It’s a burden I must bear, and I will do so with a smile on my face and without forgetting that I’m at this level because I once adored this accursed sport. I still have the extraordinary opportunity to fulfill my passion.”
